Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1836

 PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003

117 STAT. 1817

‘‘(2) that country has not been identified by the Secretary as inadequately enforcing international regulations as to that vessel; and ‘‘(3) at the end of its useful life, such equipment will be replaced with equipment that meets Federal Communications Commission equipment certification standards. ‘‘§ 53109. Special rule regarding age of participating fleet vessel ‘‘Any age restriction under section 53102(b)(3) or 53106(c)(3) shall not apply to a participating fleet vessel during the 30-month period beginning on the date the vessel begins operating under an operating agreement under this title, if the Secretary determines that the contractor for the vessel has entered into an arrangement to obtain and operate under the operating agreement for the participating fleet vessel a replacement vessel that, upon commencement of such operation, will be eligible to be included in the Fleet under section 53102(b). ‘‘§ 53110. Regulations ‘‘The Secretary and the Secretary of Defense may each prescribe rules as necessary to carry out their respective responsibilities under this chapter. ‘‘§ 53111. Authorization of appropriations ‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated for payments under section 53106, to remain available until expended— ‘‘(1) $156,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008; ‘‘(2) $174,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011; and ‘‘(3) $186,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2015.’’. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of subtitles at the beginning of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the item relating to chapter VI the following: ‘‘V. MERCHANT MARINE ...................................................................................53101’’. SEC. 3532. RELATED AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LAW.

(a) AMENDMENT TO SHIPPING ACT, 1916.—Section 9 of the Shipping Act, 1916 (46 U.S.C. App. 808) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (e), as added by section 1136(b) of Public Law 104–324 (110 Stat. 3987), as subsection (f); and (2) by amending subsection (e), as added by section 6 of Public Law 104–239 (110 Stat. 3132), to read as follows: ‘‘(e) Notwithstanding subsection (c)(2), the Merchant Marine Act, 1936, or any contract entered into with the Secretary of Transportation under that Act, a vessel may be placed under a foreign registry, without approval of the Secretary, if— ‘‘(1)(A) the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, determines that at least one replacement vessel of equal or greater military capability and of a capacity that is equivalent or greater, as measured by deadweight tons, gross tons, or container equivalent units, as appropriate, is documented under chapter 121 of title 46, United States Code,

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